Megastar Amitabh Bachchan opened up about his academic struggles and an unlikely career ambition on Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18, revealing that he once dreamt of joining the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) — but ultimately gave up because he knew too little about it. The candid disclosure came on 28 August during a conversation with a contestant who shares that very aspiration.

The Academic Confession

Bachchan recalled how his father, legendary poet Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan, had always stressed the importance of completing graduation. The megastar admitted he had chosen science as his stream, only to find that the very first college lecture covered everything he had studied across 10 years of school — leaving him overwhelmed.

'Jaise humarein zamane mein mere babuji bolte thein ki graduation karna bohot zaruri hain aur kya hain humne science liya tha aur vaha pehla joh lecture tha, usmein joh school main, 10 saal mein pada tha voh pura cover hogaya aur laga galti kardi subject leke aur exam mein fail hogaye fir voh joh hota hain ATKT mein 2 point se pass hogaye, batana mat kisisko,' he said, drawing laughter from the audience.

In translation: he had failed the examination and subsequently cleared it through the ATKT (Allowed to Keep Terms) provision — by just two marks — adding with characteristic humour, 'Don't tell anyone.'

The IFS Dream He Abandoned

Bachchan went on to share that he had once seriously considered appearing for the UPSC examination and pursuing a career in the Foreign Service. However, he admitted his knowledge of the field was far too limited to take the idea forward.

'Ek zamane mein humare dil mein bhi yeh baat jagi thi ki hum IFS kare lekin hume IFS ka I bhi nahi aata tha isliye humne haar manli aur woh chodh diya,' he said — acknowledging that he did not even know the basics of the IFS, and so he let the dream go.

Notably, this is a rare glimpse into the pre-stardom years of one of Hindi cinema's most iconic figures, underscoring that even Bachchan's path to Bollywood was far from linear.

What Prompted the Revelation

The anecdote was sparked by contestant Pragati Kalpekar, who told Bachchan she intended to use her prize money to continue her education and work towards becoming an IFS officer. She explained her motivation with characteristic candour: 'Usmein aapko maroon passport milta hain and diplomat likha hota hain, Sir' — noting the appeal of the maroon diplomatic passport.

Pragati's ambition prompted Bachchan to reflect on his own long-buried memories of considering the same path, creating one of the more unexpectedly personal moments of the season.

A Moment That Resonated

The exchange highlights what has made KBC a cultural institution across its 18 seasons — the show's format regularly draws out personal narratives from its host as much as its contestants. Bachchan's willingness to share his own failures and abandoned dreams adds an authenticity that few celebrity confessions manage. As KBC Season 18 continues, the host's off-script moments remain among its most-watched segments.